MEL closed for 30 mins 21 Feb at 17:15

[simongr]

Other experiences certainly make my 90 min delay pale into insignificance!

 

[NM]

I think you will find dispensation was given due to the circumstances, hence no fine.

Does that imply a softening of the previous tough stance on given dispensations? Weather related delays have not received dispensations on many previous occasions. Or is this more related to being in ADL rather than SYD?

 

[markis10]

Does that imply a softening of the previous tough stance on given dispensations? Weather related delays have not received dispensations on many previous occasions. Or is this more related to being in ADL rather than SYD?

Adelaide has different rules VS Sydney:

Factors that will be taken into account in considering requests for curfew dispensations at Adelaide Airport include:


the reason for the cause of the delay and whether the cause of delay is within the control of the operator;


by what margin the expected time of movement falls into the curfew period; ie, is it shortly after 11.00pm or shortly before 6.00am;


whether the aircraft is able to land on runway 05, or to take off from runway 23, ie, utilise an over water approach or departure;


the number of passengers involved; and


the severity of the likely hardship.

Given the circumstances were outside the control of the operator and hardship involved 300+ bedding down at the airport (fringe is on hence nil accom) it's likely dispensation was reasonably given.

 

[Newk]

Great info thanks. Maybe the fuss won't be as big as I thought.

 

[NM]

Adelaide has different rules VS Sydney:

Factors that will be taken into account in considering requests for curfew dispensations at Adelaide Airport include:

Sounds like reasonable considerations, which should apply equally to SYD. But we all know that politics has more influence than reality in SYD.

 

[k_sheep]

Friend of mine flying BNE-MEL had to divert to ADL, twice!

Will ask her tomorrow which flight number it was. I thought she was exaggerating until I heard someone else say the same thing.

 

[whatmeworry]

It was a very weird weather pattern over MEL. The storm cell hovered over MEL for a couple of hours but never made it south to the actual town of Melbourne as was predicted by BOM. Wondering out aloud why Avalon was not considered as diversion airport for smaller planes?

 

[serfty]

Interesting thought - maybe it was the BOM predictions that stopped that or perhaps a lack of sufficient facilities at AVV.

On the East coast of the bay we received a short sharp storm with lighting and a little rain around 7pm.

 

[Must...Fly!]

It was a very weird weather pattern over MEL. The storm cell hovered over MEL for a couple of hours but never made it south to the actual town of Melbourne as was predicted by BOM. Wondering out aloud why Avalon was not considered as diversion airport for smaller planes?

I'm sure the lack of ground crew at AVV and it's lack of facilities had something to do with it. If the crew ran out of hours there it would not be ideal!